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Curriculum Overview

Children and young people's rights and entitlements are central to Scotland's curriculum and every child and young person is entitled to experience:

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  • a curriculum which is coherent from 3 – 18.

  • a Broad General Education (BGE) including well planned experiences and outcomes across all the curriculum areas from early years through to S3. This includes understanding the world, Scotland's place in it and the environment, referred to as Learning for Sustainability.

  • a Senior Phase after S3, which provides opportunities to attain and achieve, including to study for qualifications, awards, and other planned activities to develop the four capacities.

  • opportunities for developing skills for learning, skills for life and skills for work.

  • opportunities to maximise their individual potential, benefitting from appropriate personal support and challenge.

  • support to help them move into positive and sustained destinations beyond school.

  • their thoughts and opinions heard.

 

We offer a bespoke curriculum designed to meet the diverse and complex needs of children with neurological, physical, and sensory conditions. Our approach is rooted in the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence but adapted and enhanced to ensure accessibility and relevance for all our pupils.

Key Features of our Curriculum:

  1. Personalisation: We recognize that each child's needs are unique. Our curriculum is flexible, allowing for individualised learning pathways that cater to each pupil's specific abilities, challenges, and goals.

  2. Interdisciplinary Approach: Our curriculum integrates education with therapy, combining traditional academic subjects with essential life skills, communication development, and physical therapies.

  3. Sensory Integration: We incorporate multisensory learning experiences throughout our curriculum, supporting pupils with various sensory processing needs.

  4. Technology-Enhanced Learning: We utilise assistive technologies to support learning and communication, ensuring all pupils can access and engage with the curriculum.

  5. Life Skills and Independence: Our curriculum places strong emphasis on developing practical life skills and promoting independence, tailored to each pupil's capabilities.

  6. Creative Arts and Expression: We offer rich opportunities in music and art, adapted to be accessible for all abilities, fostering creativity and self-expression.

  7. Physical Education and Movement: We are currently developing the Motor Activity Training Programme which focuses on developing motor skills, body awareness, and enjoyment of movement within each pupil's relevancy.

  8. Communication Focus: Developing effective communication skills is at the heart of our curriculum, using a range of alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) methods as appropriate.

  9. Social and Emotional Learning: We prioritise the development of social skills, emotional regulation, and positive relationships throughout our curriculum.

  10. Community Integration: Our curriculum includes opportunities for community-based learning, helping pupils generalise skills and engage with the wider world.

  11. Flexible Pacing: We allow for flexible progression through curriculum levels, recognizing that learning may not always be linear for our pupils.

Curriculum Areas

  • Languages and Literacy (including alternative communication systems)

  • Mathematics and Numeracy

  • Health and Wellbeing

  • Social Studies

  • Sciences

  • Technologies

  • Religious and Moral education

  • Expressive Arts

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Senior Phase pupils will engage with SQA National Awards, allowing development around strengths and interests, functional living skills and transition into adulthood.

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Our curriculum is delivered by a multidisciplinary team of teachers, learning practitioners, and therapists, all specialising in supporting children with complex needs. We work closely with families to ensure our curriculum aligns with each child's long-term goals and aspirations.

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We believe that every child, regardless of their challenges, has the right to a rich, stimulating, and meaningful education. Our curriculum is designed to unlock potential, foster independence, and celebrate the unique abilities of each of our pupils.

Assessments

At The Craighalbert Centre, we understand that assessing children with complex neurological, physical, and sensory needs requires a unique, nuanced, and personalised approach. Our comprehensive assessment model is carefully designed to capture each child's progress and achievements, no matter how small or unconventional they may seem. We recognize that traditional assessment methods may not always be suitable for our pupils, so we've developed an innovative, multi-faceted approach that is underpinned by each individual’s Child’s Plan.

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Our assessment process is deeply rooted in the understanding that every child has the right to be heard, understood, and given the opportunity to reach their full potential. We place a strong emphasis on identifying and utilising each child's preferred mode of communication, whether that's through vocalisations and speech, aided language displays, eye-gaze technology, or other assistive devices. This ensures that our assessments are as inclusive and accurate as possible.

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Furthermore, our assessment model is not just about measuring academic progress. It's designed to support both educational and therapeutic goals, providing a holistic view of each child's development. This comprehensive approach underpins each child's personalised Child's Plan, ensuring that all aspects of their growth and learning are considered and supported. By integrating educational assessments with therapeutic insights, we create a fuller picture of each child's abilities, challenges, and potential, allowing us to tailor our support more effectively.

Our Assessment Process

What do we do?

  1. Personalised Communication: We recognize each child's right to a personalised mode of communication, ensuring their voice is heard and their potential is fully realized.

  2. Holistic Approach: We celebrate all forms of progress, no matter how small, both within the school and in the child's wider environment.

  3. Curriculum for Excellence and Milestones: We assess against these frameworks to track development and provide a consistent language for describing progress.

  4. Continuum of Engagement: This tool helps us measure a child's level of engagement, which is crucial for children whose progress may be slower or non-linear.

  5. Continuous Observation: Our dedicated staff, including both educational and therapy team members, conduct ongoing observations and conversations throughout the year.

  6. Moderation: Regular moderation ensures accurate assessment and appropriate next steps for each learner.

  7. Personalised Learning: Assessment data forms the foundation for tailored learning programmes that maximize each child's potential.

 

Our assessment aims to:

  • Demonstrate what pupils know, understand, and can do

  • Support pupils in expressing their feelings about their work

  • Guide teachers in planning work that accurately reflects each child's needs

  • Provide regular information to parents/carers

  • Inform school improvement efforts

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By using this comprehensive assessment approach, we ensure that each child's unique abilities and challenges are recognised, celebrated, and supported, paving the way for meaningful progress and achievement.

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